Last month, RBIJ participated in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Second Chance Employment Forum, where the Chamber debuted its Second Chance Hiring Guide for businesses, recognizing RBIJ as a national resource. We hosted a fireside chat with Virgin Unite and the Young President’s Organization, featuring Sir Richard Branson and YPO member Chintan Panchal, to discuss the Business Leaders’ Declaration Against the Death Penalty. In Washington, DC, RBIJ partnered with Randstad, Walmart.org, and HQ DC House to co-host a roundtable, bringing together business leaders and workforce experts to explore how First and Second Chance Hiring strengthens communities and promotes safety. Additionally, members of the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative team joined RBIJ at the Workforce Development Solutions Lab, led by the Cara Collective, to collaborate on building a more inclusive economy.
We are excited to welcome Beth Henderson, Assistant General Counsel — Pro Bono Director at Microsoft, to RBIJ’s Advisory Council. Beth leads Microsoft’s Pro Bono Programs — one of the few full-time roles of that nature in corporate America — and sits on the Board of Kids in Need of Defense. Join us in welcoming Beth.
RBIJ is proud to launch the Delaware Equitable Hiring Initiative (DE EHI), a pilot project powered by JPMorganChase to help employers tap into Wilmington’s growing pool of “hidden talent” — job-seekers often overlooked by traditional approaches to hiring. Through tailored hiring strategies and technical assistance for recruitment, we will empower Delaware employers to create stable employment opportunities for candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Interested businesses and community partners can learn more on our new webpage and join us today.
RBIJ’s Inclusive Hiring team hit the road to engage with key stakeholders in the workforce equity space. Camieka Woodhouse-Willis attended the Ohio Chamber of Commerce DEI Summit, where she connected with DEI and business leaders who are advancing diversity and inclusion within Ohio’s business community. Taja Hereford participated in the SHIFT Toward an Equitable Future Convening in Memphis, which focused on the most pressing challenges in building a more equitable Tennessee workforce.
RBIJ’s latest Justice Champion is entrepreneur, educational psychologist, and philanthropist Hazel Ortega, who founded High Tide Global, a nonprofit bringing educational programs and resources to underserved students worldwide. In this Spotlight feature, Hazel shares what inspires her to advocate for young people facing barriers to education, including those who are justice-impacted, and how High Tide Global is working to put them on a path to a better future.
RBIJ Testifies for Clean Slate in Ohio and Massachusetts
Morgan Southers testified on the business case for the Ohio GROW Act — Ohio’s version of Clean Slate legislation. In Massachusetts, RBIJ provided testimony in support of Clean Slate to the Massachusetts Legislature’s Poverty Commission. Learn more about how to advocate for Clean Slate in your home state.
RBIJ joined leaders from Nomi Network, Big Thought, and other organizations in advocating for bipartisan federal legislation that protects and empowers the futures of opportunity youth.
RBIJ Joins Drive to Justice Summit in Cleveland, Ohio
RBIJ participated in the Drive to Justice Summit hosted by the Fines & Fees Justice Center and Policy Matters Ohio. The Summit focused on support for Ohio Senate Bill 37 which would eliminate debt-based driver’s license suspensions. To learn more about how fines and fees on driver’s licenses harm returning citizens, visit our Policy & Advocacy page.
On September 24, the state of Missouri executed Marcellus Williams for a crime he likely didn’t commit. Williams’ case was steeped in systemic bias and brokenness, demonstrating that Missouri’s death penalty system is not about delivering justice, but about appearing “tough on crime” no matter the human cost. Read RBIJ’s full statement on Williams’ execution.
RBIJ is a co-host to this staged reading on October 8 of a day-in-the-life of six men on death row in honor of the World Day Against the Death Penalty. RSVP to attend the performance virtually over Zoom.
RBIJ is hosting our inaugural UK Workforce & Justice Summit, including a business roundtable with the Confederation of British Industry and Business London. The featured keynote speaker is Larry Miller, Chairman of the Jordan Brand Advisory Board. An evening parliamentary reception will be hosted by Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE. If you are interested in attending, please contact Victoria Harris at victoria@rbij.org
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